New Trier survives against Fremd
CSL South champs fine-tune their form in advance of league final
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- Tougher tests likely await both Fremd and New Trier, but if and when they arrive, each club appears ready for them.
A brilliant goal before the break was the difference Monday night at Fremd's Hildebrandt Field as Chicagoland Soccer's fourth-ranked Trevians defeated high-flying Fremd 1-0 in a hard-fought 80-minute affair.
Alex Donnelly-Maine provided the game-winner in the 36th minute to send the Trevians (14-3-0) into their Central Suburban League championship game Wednesday at Glenbrook North brimming with confidence following this contest which had the feeling of a supersectional final. That rematch could happen down the road for these teams should each navigate through their respective regional and sectional opponents.
"Yes, it did feel like the playoffs out there tonight. That's why we have a quality opponent like Fremd on our schedule every season," said Trevians manager Matt Ravenscraft after the final whistle ended this fast-paced, physical nonconference game that ended the Vikings six-game winning streak. On the flipside, it was the seventh win in the last eight games for the Trevians with six coming via clean-sheet.
"It was a real battle out there tonight. (There) wasn't a lot time when you were on the ball, challenges were really physical, and each team brought a lot of intensity that made it feel like more than just a regular season game," said Donnelly-Maine.
The single goal scored by the senior before the break was scant reward for the teams' exertion, industry, purpose and opportunities created - which in the end were erased by plenty of fight in the middle of the park, sturdy defense and a dash of wonderful play from both keepers.
"We put a lot of balls into the box, and a couple of good chances on frame, but we weren't as sharp as we needed to be in their final third. Plus their keeper made a couple of real good saves to keep us from putting one or two in," said Fremd's Matt Austin.
The Vikings senior, who along with Jake Schoffstall and Max Clark threw themselves into the mix on a handful of corners that Jake Scesniak or Max Meyer would direct into the box. Unfortunately for the hosts, Trevians keeper Sam Warden used all of his 6-foot-5 frame to fearlessly punch out or catch the serves. In doing so he took a physical beating from the aforementioned trio.
"Sam was sooo big for us tonight," said Ravenscraft to the agreement of his assistant Chris Van Den Berg. Warden earned Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors for his gutsy and effective play.
In the opening 10 minutes it looked as if the home side might be in for a long night. The Vikings were unable to match the pace, quick passes, and ability to possess the Trevians exhibited early.
"We struggled at the start with their speed up-front, and ability to play out of the back either on the ground or in the air. But the game soon leveled out and, for my part, began to go our way for the last 10-15 minutes of the first half," said Fremd manager Steve Keller.
The Vikings boss liked what he saw from Clark up-top and his midfield duo of Austin and Angel Virgos, who pulled the strings of the Vikings attack, which, once it was up and running, would put the visitors under pressure far more than they would have liked to have been.
"We had a great start tonight, but we had our troubles with their high pressure, which forced us to give the ball up a little too much, while getting away from our ball movement, and desire to play quick and use width at the same time," said Ravenscraft.
"To be honest, if we had come out of the first half at 0-0, I would have been quite pleased."
The home side made its biggest push to put one in Just before the half hour. The play began with a well-driven and aimed free kick from the midline by Ben Cuthbert. The play ended with Warden taking a hit as he elevated to pull down the long-range attempt.
Austin and Josh Bennett created a corner moments later that almost payed off when Scesniak's serve nearly found the head of Bennett.
Disaster nearly struck for New Trier when a powerful Austin 25-yard free kick that looked unstoppable was redirected on the way in and resulted in a Fremd corner.
Meyer played a dangerous serve into the box that Warden sent out of danger, but not far enough for Meyer, who followed the play as he should. He almost found an open net after Warden challenged from his line.
"We did everything in that first half (and) second half very well, but we were not able to finish our chances," said Keller of the lack of ruthlessness in front of the net by his lads.
The pivotal moment in this game would come soon thereafter when an innocent looking punt from Warden was allowed to fall untouched near the mid-line.
When the Vikings were unable to control the Warden punt, it found find its way to an ever-opportunistic Mateo Blair, who would collect and then alertly sent a sensational early ball that put Donnelly-Maine through.
With a burst of speed, the senior gained ould gain an extra step, and enough space to separate himself from two defenders.
With ice water in his veins, and as keeper Artur Cholewa came aggressively off his line, Donnelly-Maine's magnificent curling touch sent around Cholewa nestled neatly into the back of the net to induce a wild celebration from his teammates who just witnessed a YouTube worthy goal.
"It was your basic high school goal," began Blair.
"Warden drove a long punt that bounced, and it ended up on my foot. I was lucky enough to find Alex, who did all the work to give us a big goal."
"What a sublime touch and goal," added Ravenscraft.
With less than 90 seconds until the intermission - Austin looked to surprise Warden with a quick restart and free kick attempt,. But an alert Warden hauled the ball in and did so one more time before the half with Vania Martin driving a low blast.
The home side began the second period just as it finished up the first - with the usual suspects getting the Vikings up and running plus a couple of fresh faces adding pace and creative play. The later group included Ryan Cox.
A late reaction save by Warden on Virgos in the 47th minute seemed to awaken and inspire the Trevians attack. Soon thereafter, it was the trio of Ryan Krueger, Logan Weaver and Will Felitto who resurfaced after giving their club its terrific opening.
Weaver, whose half-volley brought a goal-saving stop by Cholewa was followed up by Eric Plante meeting up Alex Boudos' flighted serve at the back post to force a corner for the Trevians.
Three bookings would follow as play intensified, as did nearly every 50-50 and second ball challenge that was made all over the park. It was at this time the game would ebb and flow at a breakneck speed to thrill a now heavily involved audience.
"It was intense, especially during the final 20-25 minutes, but we found out we could play at the level of a state-ranked team and match their pressure and physical play at the same time," said Scesniak.
Cuthbert took one off the line when Krueger showed poise and skill from a tight angle when he made a quick turn and shot the other way.
Schoffstall would dispossess his opponent, and his ensuing lung-bursting run up the right side ended with a corner at 68 minutes.
Clark drove his header wide, then Austin's snap-shot went just wide four minutes from time.
"We talked at the half about how important it was to stay composed, and to give our best effort against a team that came at us with pressure and energy almost all night long, and I thought we did just that," said Donnelly-Maine.
"It was a game we expected, and much more," admitted Ravenscraft.
"We had not played since last week, and Fremd was coming in with a six-game winning streak, so we knew what we were in for. Credit to (Fremd) for giving us a tough and physical game tonight in which we showed a lot of poise in the second half in order to play smart in order to get a very good result."
"This is the first of four games this week (which) is something we rarely, if ever do," said Keller, who is a strong proponent of two fixtures a week and training on the other days.
"We had to do some switching around of our schedule's in order to get this one in, and I'm glad that we did, despite adding another game to our week.
"We showed a lot out there for most of the game.
"If your a stats fan, we had more corners, shots and forced five saves from their keeper, versus just two for Artur. But we made a mistake, and New Trier made us pay for it. That's what the really good teams do."
Starting lineups
New Trier (4-3-3 starting formation)
GK: Sam Warden
D- Daniel Gunther
D- Andrew Kuhn
D- Riles Walsh
D- Alex Boudos
M- JoJo Farina
M- Logan Weaver
M- Mateo Blair
F- Alex Donnelly-Maine
F- Ryan Krueger
F- Will Felitto
Fremd (4-1-4-1)
GK: Artur Cholewa
D- Kaelan Conway
D- Ben Cuthbert
D- Jake Schoffstall
D- Cole Jackson
DM- Dalton Rogers
M- Russell Beaupre
M- Matt Austin
M- Angel Virgos
M- Jack Scesniak
F- Max Clark
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Sam Warden, GK, sr., New Trier
Referee: Mike Valsamis
Scoring summary
First half
New Trier: Donnelly-Maine (Blair) 36'
CSL South champs fine-tune their form in advance of league final
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- Tougher tests likely await both Fremd and New Trier, but if and when they arrive, each club appears ready for them.
A brilliant goal before the break was the difference Monday night at Fremd's Hildebrandt Field as Chicagoland Soccer's fourth-ranked Trevians defeated high-flying Fremd 1-0 in a hard-fought 80-minute affair.
Alex Donnelly-Maine provided the game-winner in the 36th minute to send the Trevians (14-3-0) into their Central Suburban League championship game Wednesday at Glenbrook North brimming with confidence following this contest which had the feeling of a supersectional final. That rematch could happen down the road for these teams should each navigate through their respective regional and sectional opponents.
"Yes, it did feel like the playoffs out there tonight. That's why we have a quality opponent like Fremd on our schedule every season," said Trevians manager Matt Ravenscraft after the final whistle ended this fast-paced, physical nonconference game that ended the Vikings six-game winning streak. On the flipside, it was the seventh win in the last eight games for the Trevians with six coming via clean-sheet.
"It was a real battle out there tonight. (There) wasn't a lot time when you were on the ball, challenges were really physical, and each team brought a lot of intensity that made it feel like more than just a regular season game," said Donnelly-Maine.
The single goal scored by the senior before the break was scant reward for the teams' exertion, industry, purpose and opportunities created - which in the end were erased by plenty of fight in the middle of the park, sturdy defense and a dash of wonderful play from both keepers.
"We put a lot of balls into the box, and a couple of good chances on frame, but we weren't as sharp as we needed to be in their final third. Plus their keeper made a couple of real good saves to keep us from putting one or two in," said Fremd's Matt Austin.
The Vikings senior, who along with Jake Schoffstall and Max Clark threw themselves into the mix on a handful of corners that Jake Scesniak or Max Meyer would direct into the box. Unfortunately for the hosts, Trevians keeper Sam Warden used all of his 6-foot-5 frame to fearlessly punch out or catch the serves. In doing so he took a physical beating from the aforementioned trio.
"Sam was sooo big for us tonight," said Ravenscraft to the agreement of his assistant Chris Van Den Berg. Warden earned Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors for his gutsy and effective play.
In the opening 10 minutes it looked as if the home side might be in for a long night. The Vikings were unable to match the pace, quick passes, and ability to possess the Trevians exhibited early.
"We struggled at the start with their speed up-front, and ability to play out of the back either on the ground or in the air. But the game soon leveled out and, for my part, began to go our way for the last 10-15 minutes of the first half," said Fremd manager Steve Keller.
The Vikings boss liked what he saw from Clark up-top and his midfield duo of Austin and Angel Virgos, who pulled the strings of the Vikings attack, which, once it was up and running, would put the visitors under pressure far more than they would have liked to have been.
"We had a great start tonight, but we had our troubles with their high pressure, which forced us to give the ball up a little too much, while getting away from our ball movement, and desire to play quick and use width at the same time," said Ravenscraft.
"To be honest, if we had come out of the first half at 0-0, I would have been quite pleased."
The home side made its biggest push to put one in Just before the half hour. The play began with a well-driven and aimed free kick from the midline by Ben Cuthbert. The play ended with Warden taking a hit as he elevated to pull down the long-range attempt.
Austin and Josh Bennett created a corner moments later that almost payed off when Scesniak's serve nearly found the head of Bennett.
Disaster nearly struck for New Trier when a powerful Austin 25-yard free kick that looked unstoppable was redirected on the way in and resulted in a Fremd corner.
Meyer played a dangerous serve into the box that Warden sent out of danger, but not far enough for Meyer, who followed the play as he should. He almost found an open net after Warden challenged from his line.
"We did everything in that first half (and) second half very well, but we were not able to finish our chances," said Keller of the lack of ruthlessness in front of the net by his lads.
The pivotal moment in this game would come soon thereafter when an innocent looking punt from Warden was allowed to fall untouched near the mid-line.
When the Vikings were unable to control the Warden punt, it found find its way to an ever-opportunistic Mateo Blair, who would collect and then alertly sent a sensational early ball that put Donnelly-Maine through.
With a burst of speed, the senior gained ould gain an extra step, and enough space to separate himself from two defenders.
With ice water in his veins, and as keeper Artur Cholewa came aggressively off his line, Donnelly-Maine's magnificent curling touch sent around Cholewa nestled neatly into the back of the net to induce a wild celebration from his teammates who just witnessed a YouTube worthy goal.
"It was your basic high school goal," began Blair.
"Warden drove a long punt that bounced, and it ended up on my foot. I was lucky enough to find Alex, who did all the work to give us a big goal."
"What a sublime touch and goal," added Ravenscraft.
With less than 90 seconds until the intermission - Austin looked to surprise Warden with a quick restart and free kick attempt,. But an alert Warden hauled the ball in and did so one more time before the half with Vania Martin driving a low blast.
The home side began the second period just as it finished up the first - with the usual suspects getting the Vikings up and running plus a couple of fresh faces adding pace and creative play. The later group included Ryan Cox.
A late reaction save by Warden on Virgos in the 47th minute seemed to awaken and inspire the Trevians attack. Soon thereafter, it was the trio of Ryan Krueger, Logan Weaver and Will Felitto who resurfaced after giving their club its terrific opening.
Weaver, whose half-volley brought a goal-saving stop by Cholewa was followed up by Eric Plante meeting up Alex Boudos' flighted serve at the back post to force a corner for the Trevians.
Three bookings would follow as play intensified, as did nearly every 50-50 and second ball challenge that was made all over the park. It was at this time the game would ebb and flow at a breakneck speed to thrill a now heavily involved audience.
"It was intense, especially during the final 20-25 minutes, but we found out we could play at the level of a state-ranked team and match their pressure and physical play at the same time," said Scesniak.
Cuthbert took one off the line when Krueger showed poise and skill from a tight angle when he made a quick turn and shot the other way.
Schoffstall would dispossess his opponent, and his ensuing lung-bursting run up the right side ended with a corner at 68 minutes.
Clark drove his header wide, then Austin's snap-shot went just wide four minutes from time.
"We talked at the half about how important it was to stay composed, and to give our best effort against a team that came at us with pressure and energy almost all night long, and I thought we did just that," said Donnelly-Maine.
"It was a game we expected, and much more," admitted Ravenscraft.
"We had not played since last week, and Fremd was coming in with a six-game winning streak, so we knew what we were in for. Credit to (Fremd) for giving us a tough and physical game tonight in which we showed a lot of poise in the second half in order to play smart in order to get a very good result."
"This is the first of four games this week (which) is something we rarely, if ever do," said Keller, who is a strong proponent of two fixtures a week and training on the other days.
"We had to do some switching around of our schedule's in order to get this one in, and I'm glad that we did, despite adding another game to our week.
"We showed a lot out there for most of the game.
"If your a stats fan, we had more corners, shots and forced five saves from their keeper, versus just two for Artur. But we made a mistake, and New Trier made us pay for it. That's what the really good teams do."
Starting lineups
New Trier (4-3-3 starting formation)
GK: Sam Warden
D- Daniel Gunther
D- Andrew Kuhn
D- Riles Walsh
D- Alex Boudos
M- JoJo Farina
M- Logan Weaver
M- Mateo Blair
F- Alex Donnelly-Maine
F- Ryan Krueger
F- Will Felitto
Fremd (4-1-4-1)
GK: Artur Cholewa
D- Kaelan Conway
D- Ben Cuthbert
D- Jake Schoffstall
D- Cole Jackson
DM- Dalton Rogers
M- Russell Beaupre
M- Matt Austin
M- Angel Virgos
M- Jack Scesniak
F- Max Clark
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Sam Warden, GK, sr., New Trier
Referee: Mike Valsamis
Scoring summary
First half
New Trier: Donnelly-Maine (Blair) 36'